Selecting a topper for Combi-Zone support layer

[phoenix]

Hi Scallawalla,

When you say tight fitting, does that include a basic cotton Muslin cover that just holds things in place like this one ? Or does it require a more substantial cover that actually squeezes it all together like this one ?

The Cotton Muslin cover would be a more basic and price-conscious option. The Mattresses.net cover you linked to is quilted to wool and would be more substantial, offer better structural integrity, better UV/oxidation protection, and also provide some of the extra benefits of wool (comfort, temperature/humidity assistance).

You are right that my disability is the cause of my shoulder pain. The mattress is not magic and cannot solve this problem that I have had for years and probably will have forever. But at least I should shoot for it not making it worse.

You are correct. I wish there was a mattress that would be 100% guaranteed to take this pain away from you. I’d recommend it in an instant!

More realistically, good adjustable pillows like these should do much more for my shoulder by raising my head high enough such that my shoulder isn’t pushing into the mattress.

I’m a fan of pillows that you can shape and adjust the fill, and that really can assist with shoulder pain.

I don’t understand why people invest in an expensive cooling cover and then put a mattress protector on top that detracts from the cooling. Doesn’t it make more sense to buy the least expensive cover that meets requirements (like the cotton Muslin cover linked above) and putting the money saved into a cooling mattress protector like this one ? Or maybe just an inch of wool over a thin protector over a thin cotton cover?

In very general terms … the materials, layers, and components of a sleeping system that are closer to your skin will have a bigger effect on airflow, moisture transport, and temperature regulation than materials, layers, and components that are further away from your skin, although there are other benefits between different types of mattress encasements (as I mentioned previously in this reply).

There is more about the many variables that can affect the sleeping temperature of a mattress or sleeping system in post #2 here that can help you choose the types of materials and components that are most likely to keep you in a comfortable temperature range. You can read more about phase change materials in post #9 here and at the end of post #4 here. Their results tend to be temporary.

Phoenix